LIZ M
Liz (lizincinti) is a moderator for all three ABC soaps on the Soap Central message board forums and does weekly recaps. She loves all soaps but her heart belongs to ABC. Her earliest memories are of watching General Hospital with her mother back in the days of Luke and Laura. Last year was Liz's first time as an Emmy prognosticator -- and she's back this year to see if she can up her total of correct picks.
Previous Predictions
2008: 3 for 8
2007: 2 for 8
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Debbi Morgan
Angie Hubbard
This was like trying to pick between a diamond, emerald, and sapphire. All of the ladies deserve to win it this year. However, my favorite reel submission was Debbie Morgan's. Angie and Jesse's reunion was everything that I had hoped in large part because of Debbie's gripping performance. The scenes where she chased after Jesse's train, screaming his name, were Zhivagoesque. Except this time, instead of Yuri dying as he tries to catch up with Lara, we had a happy ending when Jesse and Angie were finally reunited. Debbie was flawless in the scenes and I found myself glued to the edge of my seat.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jacob Young
JR Chandler
Bradford Anderson is a wonderful comedic actor who has a quirky way about him that I find charming. I just don't see the character of Damien Spinelli as Emmy worthy. I know he has his fans, but other than falling in love with beautiful women, idolizing mobsters, and waxing poetic about everything under the sun, there's no real depth to the character or range with the performances. By contrast, we have Jacob Young (ex-Lucky, GH) whose Emmy reel focused on the aftermath of the tornado when JR Chandler realized that the love of his life, Babe, was dying. Jacob's performance was phenomenal from start to finish. Although, I have to admit I was also impressed with Vincent Irizzary's scenes as David Hayward, Babe's father. David struggling with thoughts of suicide following his daughter's death was powerful. It really was a toss up between these two fine actors, but what ultimately decided it for me was the range of emotions the characters had to display. David didn't have to be strong for anyone because everyone in Pine Valley despised him. He was free to wallow in his sorrow. JR, on the other hand, had to keep it together for Babe and Little A. We saw that plus JR's profound grief as he watched his soul mate slip away before his eyes.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Bree Williamson
Jessica Buchanan
I'm thrilled that Alicia Minshew was nominated. I think she is a wonderful actress; however, I just didn't think her Emmy reel adequately reflected her talent. I blame the writers, not Alicia. The scenes following Kendall's revelation that she had slept with Aidan were forgettable because the dialog was repetitious and uninspiring. The same can't be said for Bree Williamson's performance as Jessica Buchanan Brennan following Nash's tragic death. Jessica eulogizing her husband was gut wrenching and shocking because Jessica tore into Natalie and Jared for causing Nash's death. I'm not a fan of Natalie's, but even I was taken aback by Jessica's vehemence. Bree's performance is exactly why I love soap operas.
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR
Cornelius Smith, Jr.
Frankie Hubbard
It wasn't difficult to make a selection in this category. The only real standout performance was from Cornelius Smith Jr, as Frankie Hubbard when he confronted Jesse about where he'd been for twenty years. To be fair, I'm a longtime AMC viewer and these scenes were much anticipated. They were well written with rich dialogue and a broad emotional range. Cornelius and Darnell are well cast as father and son. Those scenes were a testament to that.
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS
Kirsten Storms
Maxie Jones
I think Julie Marie Berman is a very talented actress. She also bears a striking resemblance to her television parents, so it's incredibly easy to accept her as Lulu Spencer. She does a fabulous job and the scenes of her talking to a comatose Laura, following Logan's murder, were great. Unfortunately for Julie, she was up against Kirsten Storms, as Maxie Jones following Georgie's shocking murder. Kirsten Storms blew me away with her scenes. Maxie is a bad girl who is deeply scarred by the abandonment of her parents. When Felicia came home for Georgie's funeral Maxie's resentment was palpable. Kirsten was fantastic in those scenes at Georgie's memorial.
OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES
General Hospital
This category only had two real contenders: The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital. Ironically both stories centered on the violence of guns and it's tragic aftermath. I chose General Hospital because this episode resonated with me. Sonny's reaction to his 13-year old son being shot in the head by a bullet meant for him broke my heart. Seeing the effect the news of Michael's shooting had on his loved ones was powerful. General Hospital has so many talented actors that when they come together for an emotional storyline like Michael's shooting, it's difficult for me to find fault with any scene. The writers didn't pull any punches; the scenes played out exactly as I had imagined they would all those years ago when Carly decided to marry a mobster and raise a family with him.
